Player news tracker

Jabari Small fantasy football news and podcast insights

Source-backed player signal from monitored fantasy football podcasts, shows, videos, articles, and social posts.

RBDET40 insightsLatest Aug 23, 2026

13

Positive signals

16

Negative signals

5

Sources

Aug 23, 2026

Latest update

NegativeInjuryAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Small entered the game as Saylors' biggest challenger, displaying power and quickness, but suffered a concussion on his sixth snap and was forced from the game; with only a week before cutdown, the timing is particularly damaging to his roster chances.

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NegativeInjuryAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Missed first preseason game with injury; after just 6 snaps (9%) against Commanders, pulled to enter concussion protocol; this concussion could be the tipping point against him in RB4 competition with Jacob Saylors, potentially keeping him off roster.

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NegativeInjuryAug 22, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Small was performing well in the preseason game against the Commanders (16 rushing yards on 3 carries) before being pulled and placed in concussion protocol per Campbell. His status for upcoming games is uncertain pending concussion evaluation.

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NegativeInjuryAug 22, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Small was having a strong preseason performance against Washington with 16 rushing yards on three carries before being pulled from the game and placed in concussion protocol. His absence opened opportunities for reserve running backs Trayveon Williams and Raheem Blackshear, who combined for 21 carries, 65 yards, and a touchdown in the second half.

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NegativeInjuryAug 22, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Small has dealt with a recent knee injury but has been practicing lately and will likely be available for preseason Game 2 vs. Commanders.

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NegativeInjuryAug 22, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Recently dealt with a knee injury but has been practicing lately and will likely be available for preseason Game 2 vs. Commanders.

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NegativeRoleAug 18, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Jabari Small ran into a brick wall of defenders on the sixth drive but coaches said he got enough to move the chains, marking the first time this had happened in practice. Later, he was targeted on a check-down from Luke Altmyer for a nine-yard gain.

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NegativeRoleAug 17, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Small received 0 votes for the RB4 spot after sitting out with injury, but the source notes things could shift quickly now that he is back on the field; Campbell indicated the RB4 battle is extremely competitive with daily fluctuations in performance.

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NegativeRoleAug 17, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Small received 0 staff votes for the RB4 roster spot after sitting out with injury during the preseason; however, he is now back on the field and competing against Saylors in a neck-and-neck battle where momentum can shift daily, per coach Dan Campbell.

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NegativeInjuryAug 15, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Missed a couple practices and the preseason opener with a believed knee injury that remains unconfirmed by the Lions; his return is critical as he's in a tight competition for the RB4 roster spot.

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NegativeInjuryAug 15, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Running back returned to practice after missing a couple practices and the preseason opener with a suspected knee injury (unconfirmed by the Lions); his return is critical as he competes for the RB4 roster spot.

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NegativeInjuryAug 15, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Small is sidelined with injury; Detroit had only three running backs suited up on Thursday with Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, and Small injured and Jahmyr Gibbs resting, necessitating the Lions' signing of veteran Trayveon Williams.

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PositiveValueAug 14, 2026Jared Smola

Jared Smolaon X

Tyjae Spears could just be Kenneth Gainwell at a 4-round discount.

Tyjae Spears could just be Kenneth Gainwell at a 4-round discount.

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NegativeInjuryAug 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Running back sustained undisclosed injury in preseason game, limiting his availability in backup RB depth chart.

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NegativeInjuryAug 14, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Sustained an undisclosed injury during the preseason game, creating uncertainty around his roster status.

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NegativeInjuryAug 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Jabari Small did not play in the preseason opener and is being held out with what is likely a knee injury. The source notes Small is Saylors' main competition for the RB4 role, and his injury absence gives Saylors an opportunity to solidify the backup running back position.

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NegativeInjuryAug 14, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Small did not play in the preseason opener and is still being held out with what the source describes as likely a knee injury. His absence removes his main competition against Jacob Saylors for the RB4 role, though Small's roster spot appears secure given the depth chart situation.

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NegativeRoleAug 13, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Small is competing with Jacob Saylors for the RB4 roster spot in a competition Coach Dan Campbell has said is very close; Small is nursing an injury and unlikely to play in the preseason opener vs. Cincinnati.

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NegativeInjuryAug 13, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Dealing with undisclosed injury heading into preseason game 1 vs. Bengals; also competing with Jacob Saylors for reserve running back snaps, with coach Dan Campbell noting the competition is tight and both players' special teams contributions will be important for their roster futures.

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PositiveRoleAug 13, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Competing with Jacob Saylors for reserve running back snaps; Campbell said the two are 'jockeying with each other' with one ahead some days and the other ahead on others, and praised both for their special teams contributions which 'will be big for both of those players.' Small is dealing with an undisclosed injury.

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PositiveUsageAug 12, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Small is in a legitimate RB4 competition with Jacob Saylors, which speaks to his standing given the team's regard for Saylors as a special teamer. Small has been shifty, strong on special teams, and tough, battling through knee discomfort while practicing. Dan Campbell confirmed he's thoroughly in the mix, with the two jockeying for position daily and both valuable on special teams.

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NegativeInjuryAug 11, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Small has been favoring his knee for several practices and took a day off; he is locked in a battle with Jacob Saylors for the RB4 role, and Campbell noted both are jockeying for position with one ahead some days and the other ahead on others, making missed practice time costly in a tight competition.

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NegativeRoleAug 11, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Running back competing for RB4 role against Jacob Saylors; has been favoring his knee for several practices and took a day off, but cannot afford many absences given the tight competition. Coach Dan Campbell noted both players are jockeying for position with one ahead some days and the other ahead on others, and both are valuable on special teams.

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NegativeRoleAug 11, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Jabari Small is part of a notable training camp competition at his position; the source describes a low-key awesome training camp battle brewing between Jacob Saylors and Jabari Small.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 10, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

Jabari Small is part of Detroit's RB2 competition alongside Isiah Pacheco, Jacob Saylors, Rex Lofton, and Raheem Blackshear.

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NegativeDepth ChartAug 10, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Jabari Small received 0 votes in the Lions' fourth running back competition and is being passed over by the entire staff in favor of Jacob Saylors, putting his roster spot in serious jeopardy.

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PositiveRoleAug 10, 2026Footballguys

Small ran with impressive strength, particularly between the tackles during red zone drills, opening opportunities in the Lions backfield as Pacheco missed time due to an undisclosed condition.

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NegativeRoleAug 7, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Jabari Small had a tough start to Drive 4, being stuffed on first down for a two-yard gain and then failing to hold onto a swing pass that could have been a big gain, showing early struggles in the scrimmage.

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NegativeRoleAug 7, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Jabari Small had a tough start to Drive 4, being stuffed on first down for a two-yard gain and then failing to hold onto a swing pass that could have been a big gain.

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NegativeInjuryAug 7, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Running back dealing with leg discomfort and wearing a knee brace at the end of Friday practice; no official update on whether this is a new injury from Friday's session.

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NegativeInjuryAug 7, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The running back was dealing with discomfort in his leg at the end of Friday's practice and was wearing a brace over his knee; there was no official update on whether he was injured during Friday's practice.

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PositiveRoleAug 6, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

With Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, and Sione Vaki unavailable, Small shared first-team reps at running back. The source thought Small ran with impressive strength, particularly between the tackles during red zone drills, though he benefitted from strong run blocking on the day.

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PositiveRoleAug 6, 2026Pride Of Detroit

With top running backs sidelined, Small shared first-team reps with Jacob Saylors. The source observed Small ran with impressive strength, particularly between the tackles during red zone drills, though both backs benefitted from strong run blocking.

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PositiveUsageAug 6, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

With Pacheco, Vaki, and Gibbs unavailable for team drills on Thursday, Small split first-team running back reps evenly with Jacob Saylors, getting significant opportunity in the Lions' backfield.

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PositiveUsageAug 6, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Small received first-team running back reps on Day 7 of training camp, splitting them evenly with Jacob Saylors while Pacheco, Vaki, and Gibbs were unavailable for team drills.

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PositiveRoleAug 4, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Small has stepped into an RB3 role and continues to show impressive agility in multiple phases. He also drew unprompted praise from Coach Dan Campbell on Tuesday morning. Campbell explained: "Small is doing some things, and he's doing some things on special teams too. Low to the ground, center of gravity, he's stout, he's strong. He's got lateral quicks. Pretty good, man. You guys are going to get a pretty good look here." Small has taken advantage of his opportunity, and while it looks like he'll have a hard time cracking the top four, there could still be a path for him to stick around in Allen Park.

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PositiveRoleAug 4, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Small has stepped into an RB3 role and continues to show impressive agility in multiple phases. Coach Dan Campbell gave unprompted praise on Tuesday morning, noting 'Small is doing some things, and he's doing some things on special teams too. Low to the ground, center of gravity, he's stout, he's strong. He's got lateral quicks.' While he has a hard time cracking the top four, there could still be a path for him to stick around.

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PositiveRoleAug 4, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Small is getting significant opportunities with the first-team offense alongside Isiah Pacheco and Jacob Saylors while Jahmyr Gibbs sits out and Sione Vaki is out with a broken nose. Coach Campbell praised him pre-practice, saying "Small is doing some things and he's doing some things on special teams too, man. Low to the ground, center of gravity, he's stout, he's strong. He's got lateral quicks." During 11-on-11 rushing drills, Small was the first to bust out a big run with a decisive cut and acceleration, and impressed with shiftiness on jump cuts. He also paired with Tom Kennedy as kick returner during the final situational drill.

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PositiveRoleAug 4, 2026Pride Of Detroit

Running back earning first-team offensive reps and special teams work at Lions training camp Day 6 with strong coaching praise from head coach Campbell. Campbell highlighted Small's low center of gravity, stoutness, strength, and lateral quickness. In 11-on-11 rushing drills, Small was first to break out a big run with decisive cut and acceleration through the hole, and impressed with shiftiness on jump cuts. Ended practice in significant role as kick returner alongside Tom Kennedy during final situational drill. Despite long road to 53-man roster, Small is maximizing opportunities while running back room is shorthanded due to Jahmyr Gibbs sitting out and Sione Vaki out with broken nose.

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PositiveUsageAug 3, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Running back Jabari Small was the only player to earn two wins in the opening one-on-one drill, utilizing a cutback on the first rep and a speed-to-the-edge move on the second, demonstrating versatility in his approach to evading defenders.

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